Page 290 - Important Chinese Art Hong Kong April 2, 2019 Sotheby's

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PROPERTY FROM THE MUYUTANG COLLECTION 明末至清初 黃花梨束腰雕花龍紋炕桌
A LOW HUANGHUALI KANG TABLE
LATE MING – EARLY QING DYNASTY
the mitered top with a rectangular inset panel above a
beaded curvilinear scrolling apron, the apron carved with
intertwining vines flanked by bold archaistic dragons, all
resting on four cabriole legs terminating in ruyi scrolls
32.3 by 91.8 by 58.1 cm, 12⅝ by 36⅛ by 22⅞ in.
◉ HK$ 380,000-500,000
US$ 48,500-64,000

Low rectangular tables of this design are commonly referred
to as kang, from the homonymous hollow brick platform
heated with hot air through a stove, which provided a warm
surface in Chinese households. The present example is
particularly notable for the undualting lines of the curvilinear
apron and cabriole legs, which are hightened by the rhytmic
movement of the vines and dragons.
Two very similar tables were sold in our New York rooms,
the first, 19th September 2001, lot 201, and the second,
28th/29th September 1989, lot 310; and a slightly larger
example was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28th November
2012, lot 2012. A slightly larger table of this design, but with
the cabriole legs issuing from monster masks, is illustrated
in Wang Shixiang, Classic Chinese Furniture. Ming and Early
Qing Dynasties, London. 1986, pl. 63; another was sold in our
London rooms, 9th June 1992, lot 46; and a third was sold in
our New York rooms, 28th/29th November 1989, lot 343.

288 SOTHEBY ’S IMPORTANT CHINESE ART